Jays win big with Davis-Lawrie power.

No game in Dunedin today and wet and cold to boot.

Jays at Twins today.
Litsch starting and continues his strong Spring although not as good as his last two outings. Goes 3 2/3 innings a little wild at times walking two but after giving up two in the bottom of the first he held the Twins.

Jays once again get more power from Davis, another leadoff home run, and Lawrie also his second of the Spring. Lawrie gets two hits on the day making a strong bid for that spot, playing at third again. Decisions, decisions for the management. Especially when Encarnacion playing at first goes hitless in four at bats. Anthony Gose continues his fine play with a double and yet another steal, number seven on the Spring and taking third base this time. WOW, when did that last happen with a Blue Jay?

Johnny Mc. and Hechaverria both with errors today. Jays go 2-10 with runners in scoring position.
Arencibia another hitless day at the park. Not good JP. Get it together. Hinkley managed to redeem himself for that extra inning loss this week by closing out this one, facing the minimum three hitters as the Jays win 7-4 and take their record to 5-7 for the Spring. Tomorrow a tougher matchup with the Yankees in Dunedin.

Guerrero another home run for Baltimore, his third, what a steal for the Orioles.
Ready for the opening day? Halladay goes six scoreless innings against the Yankees.


Conversation in the breakfast nook this morning about Jays lack of hitting with runners in scoring position. Who is to blame? Dwayne Murphy or the minor league hitting instructors?

My vote is against the minor league instructors. This should be basic level stuff at the minor levels. But with the Jays organization it appears to be a disease. Last year even with Cito the results were just the same as yesterday. And that was before Rios was traded. It would be interesting to do an analysis of the games last year and determine how many were lost through lack of just one hit with runners in scoring position. But obviously Manager Farrell has a concern. It is of no value stealing and getting into scoring position if the hitters are unable to bring them in.

Another addendum to the stealing yesterday. Note that the majority were done from the 8th inning onwards with John Jaso catching. Joe Maddon said that Jaso had mechanical issue getting the ball out of his glove. Minor problem ? hmm.
The other note about the steals was that the majority were the minor leaguers and in fact Bautista was caught stealing.
However it was still great to watch after years of the big hit mentality of Cito and maybe something to look forward to with (some of) the new Jays in the lineup.

Today’s rumour mill regarding Jays and Twins RHP Kevin Slowey. Walk rate of 1.50 per nine innings is second only to Halladay since 2007 when he made his debut. Alex might have some interesting trading in he works to add to the rotation.

Another rough day at the office: Following theft of JC Romero’s Porsche at the weekend in Clearwater, Evan Longoria had his 1967 Camaro RS stolen whilst it was being refurbished in Arizona.

Tomorrow’s game against the Yankees in Dunedin. Jays fans will not see 41 year old Manuel Rivera he just started throwing yesterday and it looks like Sunday to bring him in.
Will Cameron Diaz make a visit with A-Rod? Who cares although it might get the Kindle readers out of their books but then again maybe not.